Fourteen-year-old girl is raped, judge blames it on social media

By Natalie Cornish| 2 years ago

Photo Twin Falls County Jail

A judge in Idaho has said a man who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl could be released on probation if he agrees to remain celibate until marriage. He added that the rape probably happened because of "social media".

The Guardian reports that Judge Randy Stoker told the courtroom that if he could he would "eliminate the Internet" while sentencing convicted rapist, Cody Herrera.

He explained what the conditions of Herrera's probation would be, including enforcing a rarely used state law banning sexual activity with anyone other than his spouse. This would be tested by polygraph.

"I will tell you, sir, that if you are ever placed on probation to this court", the judge said. "A condition of that probation will be you will not have sexual relations with anyone other than who you are married to, if you’re married, period".

The judge then lectured the court on twenty-first century morality: "I have seen dozens, if not hundreds of sex cases since I've been on this bench," he said.

"Our society has come to a point of, I don’t even know how to explain it, you know? I am 66 years of age. When I was 19 years of age, the sexual proclivities of young people wasn’t anything, anything like I see today.

"I think it is a direct consequence of the social media system that we have in this country", the judge added. "I can’t tell you how many times I have seen these cases: 'How did this happen?' 'Well, I met somebody on social media.'"

Herrera had told police that he had had sex with 34 people, and — according to the paper — felt he "could use young children for sexual gratification". Judge Stoker questioned his remorse — and highlighted his use of pornography and admission that he fantasies about young girls — but placed the 20-year-old on a prison treatment program. If he completes the program within a year, his application for probation will be granted. If not, he could face up to 15 years behind bars.

Herrera met his 14-year-old victim in 2015. They took to chatting on Facebook when her mother stopped them from spending time together. The unnamed girl invited him over to her house to watch a film when he fondled and raped her without a condom.